44 Mr. T. W. Kirk on the 



beautiful representative of the Crested Shag is abundant on 

 the coast of the South Island, but is seldom met with ou the 

 northern side of Cook Strait. 1 observed a party of three at the 

 mouth of the Waikanae River in January 1864; two young 

 birds were killed in Wellington in the winter of 1865 ; and 

 another was shot in the Gulf of Hauraki^ near Auckland ; and 

 these are the only instances I know of its occurrence in the 

 North Isliind -^ "^ -^ I have never had an opportunity of 

 examining the eggs, but I understand that three is the usual 

 number " {' Manual of N. Z. Birds/ p. 95) . It will therefore 

 be interesting to note that 1 was lately informed, hj INIr. J. C. 

 M'^Lean, that a colony of fifteen or sixteen of these birds 

 has for more than five years been established on a reef inside 

 Cape Kidnappers. 



The latter gentleman states that he has collected the eggs, 

 but never found more than two in a nest. In December 1885 

 there were five nests, placed at equal distances apart, along 

 the ledge which runs on one side of the rock about three feet 

 from the top. They were composed of seaweed, and were 

 but little larger than the nests of the Mackerel Gull {Larus 

 scopulinus, Forst.). One nest had tivo eggs in, and each of 

 three others contained tiro young birds covered with black 

 down ; the fifth was empty. On the other side of the rock, 

 out of reach, was another nest ; this also contained but two 

 eggs. On visiting the locality again last December the nests 

 were found to be more numerous ; but apparently the season 

 was much later, as there were neither eggs nor young birds 

 visible, but the old ones were grouped about, and allowed 

 him to approach quite close before they took wing ; their 

 breeding-place being very difficult of access, it is evident 

 they are not often disturbed. The egg is smaller than that 

 of the Black Shag (P. novce-hollandice, Gould), and very 

 dirty. The original colour is pale blue. 



Mr. McLean has kindly promised to furnish me with the 

 measurements of the eggs in his possession. 



The Cape is also the breeding-ground of a large number of 

 Ganncts {Dys/jorus serrator). 



